Public event about genetic engineering

[James J. Kruse]

Well, well, great timing! Locals can see the genetic engineering of food
debate first hand!

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NEWS ADVISORY FROM THE INSTITUTE FOR FOOD AND DEVELOPMENT POLICY (FOOD FIRST)


                        TRANSGENIC CROPS:
        A SCIENTIFIC REVIEW OF THE ECOLOGICAL IMPACTS

Transgenic crops (genetically modified crops through biotechnology) are
being deployed at increasing rates in agricultural landscapes worldwide
(more than 100 million acres by l999) with limited scientific data on their
potential impacts and limited government regulation.  The main crops
include corn, soybeans and cotton which have been modified for herbicide
tolerance or insect and virus resistance.  Many scientists are concerned
that such releases may pose serious environmental risks ranging from gene
flow between transgenic crops and wild relatives, to the rapid development
of insect resistance and detrimental impacts to beneficial insects, soil
fauna and nontarget organisms.   Under the co-sponsorship of the Center for
Biological Control an authoritative group of scientists conducting research
on such impacts will meet at UC Berkeley from March 2-4, 2000 to discuss
their latest findings.  Once transgenic genes have entered the ecosystem,
environmental clean-up may not be possible.

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Event:		Forum discussion open to the general public

Where:		UC Berkeley Campus (145 Dwinelle)
		Friday, March 3, 2000, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Moderators: 	Miguel Altieri (UC Berkeley) and Peter Rosset (Food First)

Who:            Dr. Angelika Hilbeck,  Swiss federal Institute of 
		technology: impacts on beneficial insects
                
                Dr. Jane Rissler, Union of Concerned Scientists: ecological
                risks of agricultural biotechnology

                Dr. Michael Hansen, Consumers Union: environmental and
                health risks of GMOs

                Mr. David Hathaway, AS-PTA: organizer Brazilian
                Biotechnology Campaign
 
For more information contact events organizer:
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Miguel A. Altieri, Ph.D.
University of California, Berkeley
ESPM-Division of Insect Biology
201 Wellman-3112
Berkeley, CA 94720-3112
Phone: 510-642-9802  FAX: 510-642-7428
Location: 215 Mulford, Berkeley campus
gregf at uclink4.berkeley.edu
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